‘You’ll see.’ He sidles towards the door and slips out before I can see what he’s holding in his arms. Odd. Crumpet jumps down and follows him, which is good. Otherwise, he’ll look at me dolefully until I share my breakfast with him, and I want it all to myself.
I’ve just finished gobbling down the most delicious eggs on buttery toast I think I’ve ever eaten, along with an amazing cup of tea, and am lying back on the pillows, replete, when Bailey returns. I take one look at him and let out a whoop of laughter. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’
He’s in full elf regalia for the occasion. That consists of his elf jumper from yesterday. But he’s also added a pair of green trousers, long pointy green shoes that curl up, a felt hat, plus the elf ears from the party.
He purses his lips and looks mock offended. Then he tries to saunter nonchalantly into the room with the bells on the end of his shoes and hat jingling. It makes me laugh even harder.
‘You look ridiculous,’ I tell him, wiping my eyes on the sheet.
‘I know, but the kids love it.’
He’s right. As soon as we enter the lounge, where everyone’s gathered, the kids leap up excitedly and start yelling ‘Present time! Present time!’ It seems Uncle Bailey is the official present hander outer. I half expect to see the rest of his family dressed up too, but no, it’s just Bailey. It seems weird to think I’ve been rolling around in bed all night—with an elf. I shake my head to get rid of the ensuing images.
There are a pile of presents that have ‘magically’ appeared under the Christmas tree, and the little stockings dangling from the mantelpiece are full. A fire is crackling in the grate, and snow is falling outside the window. I feel like I’m in one of those feel-good Christmas movies. Like the over-the-top desserts on the first night, it’s all a bit overwhelming.
On the way to the lounge, Bailey reassured me it wouldn’t take long as they have a ‘one present’ rule. But that, it appears, is for the adults. The kids are fair game, and they rip into their stockings and then the presents under the tree from ‘Santa’. Soon, there’s paper and toys scattered all over the carpet. I’m awkwardly sitting off to the side on a footstool, watching on and not really feeling involved. This isn’t my family or my reality. I’m in the way.
When the adults have all had their presents and exclaimed, ‘It’s just what I wanted’, et cetera, I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank God that’s over with.
Until Kirk pipes up, ‘What about Holly? Doesn’t she get a present from Santa?’
Dammit, it’s going to look suspicious if Bailey doesn’t give me something. Why can’t Kirk just keep his mouth shut?
‘Ah, yes, Holly,’ says Bailey in the squeaky elf voice he’s been putting on. ‘I have something for her.’ He does a leaping jig over to the Christmas tree, making his bells ring and the kids giggle. I shrink down, thinking that he’s going to make a big show of there not being a present because I’ve been a naughty girl or something. But he pulls out a Santa stocking that’s nestled at the back of the tree. Oh no, what’s he doing?
There’s another jingling jig back over to me, and he hands me the Santa stocking, which I can feel has several items inside it. ‘Merry Christmas!’ he squeaks, and I stare at him questioningly.
‘What’s this?’ I mouth.
He grins and mouths back, ‘Just open it.’
Hesitantly, I pull apart the Velcro fastening and look inside. Susie and Sasha are peering over my shoulders, dying to see what it is. I start drawing out a bunch of miscellaneous Christmas paraphernalia: a smallFrozenmake-up kit, elf ears, a silver tiara, gold bracelets, a glass gemstone-encrusted necklace, and a wand with a glitter star on the end that lights up when I wave it. I stare at the items blankly.
‘Susie and Sasha, do you want to help Holly become my elf girlfriend?’ asks Bailey, and they nod excitedly.
I’m about to protest, but Bailey whispers, ‘Just go with it.’ So I have no choice but to sit as still as a statue with my eyes closed as the girls carefully put eyeshadow on my lids, then dab on lipstick and blusher and slide the bracelets up my arms. Bailey fastens the necklace and puts on my elf ears.
‘There!’ exclaims Susie, settling the tiara on my head. ‘She’s an elf princess! So pretty!’
Bailey beams, handing me the wand. ‘She is indeed.’ Before I can stop him, he whips out his phone and puts his cheek next to mine.
I can’t help smiling at the selfie he takes. We do look pretty cute as elves, though our expressions are different: me mock frowning and him with his infectious grin.
His thoughtfulness at including me in everything makes sudden tears prick behind my eyes. I squeeze his hand. ‘You didn’t have to do this, but thank you.’
‘Well, I hope you don’t mind. But I knew you’d make a beautiful elf, and I was right,’ he says, slinging an arm around my shoulder.
What’s left of the ice around my heart slowly slides off and falls with a plop onto the floor. I’m still not exactly sure how, but Bailey has single-handedly managed to pierce through my brittle demeanour and soften me up. I feel like a more malleable marzipan version of myself. A little mulled wine, a night of passion, and now I’m wearing elf ears. For Holly Driver, self-confessed loner and hater of all things Christmas, this is unthinkable behaviour. I’m not sure who this new girl is, but I’m starting to quite enjoy myself.
Chapter 16
Bailey’s kindness, boyish charm, and mischievous nature are an irresistible combination. Every time his hand accidently on purpose brushes mine it sparks a deep yearning that I try to fight but find myself succumbing to. I can’t seem to think about anything else but spending the rest of the afternoon in bed with him. But lunch is the main Christmas meal, and we’re both in the kitchen helping prepare it, so disappearing upstairs isn’t an option.
But I can’t resist a comment to him under my breath when his mum and Hazel are chatting over at the sink. ‘Any chance of a sneaky elvish rendezvous after lunch?’ I say it lightly and hope, since we’re still in costume, it sounds cute rather than needy.
The corner of his mouth quirks, and he presses his warm arm against mine. The electricity sparking between us gives me goosebumps.
Bailey clears his throat and says loudly, ‘I’ll just go and grab some potatoes from the cellar.’
